After Jesus had gone indoors, His disciples asked Him privately: Why couldn't we drive it out? He replied: This kind can come out only by prayer & fasting. (Mark 9:28-29). The disciples would often face difficult situations that could only be resolved through prayer. Prayer is key that unlocks faith in our lives. Effective prayer needs both an attitude - complete dependence - & an action - asking. Prayer demonstrates our reliance on God as we humbly invite Him to fill us with His faith & power. There is no substitute for prayer, especially in circumstances that seem impossible. In such cases you need to add fasting & do prayer & fasting. Some oppressive spirits will only come out or release their hold on your life by prayer & fasting. Let me correct a wrong belief that many pastors have got. They believe that by going to the ministry training institutions that they won't be oppressed anymore. This is false. Do you think that if you are taught about the office of a pastor; learn how to prepare a sermon, how to preach, lead a service, how to do visitations, how to conduct yourself before the people, & doing Bible study critically, that satan will not influence you in some way? Satan is not a respecter of persons including pastors. Satan may use your bloodline to gain entry into your life, or he may use your UNCONFESSED SIN to make his abode in your life. If you see yourself doing ministry outside the confines of the Word of God, you are under oppression. You need deliverance. You need  to pray & fast & break the blood line, pull down all strongholds, etc. You need to deal with sin in your life. It also opens the door for satan to gain entry into your life. Some of these spirits cannot go except by prayer & fasting. It's not pastors only, it affects all people. I have cited pastors because of the wrong perception they have as highlighted above. They are several kinds of fasting:

1. Moses fast: He abstained from both food & water. This should be for a very short periods, otherwise you will have acute abdominal problems, please be advised. 2: Jesus fasting: The Bible does not say that He abstained from food & water. It only says, He became hungry. He could have abstained from food only while taking in water. This is my personal opinion. 3. Daniel's fast: This is where you take vegetables only. 4: Isaiah fast: This does not involve food & water. Even those who have undergone surgery can do it. It is where you loose the chains of injustice, untie the cords of the yoke, share your food with the hungry, provide the poor wanderer with shelter, clothe the naked, not to turn away from your own flesh & blood. (Read Isaiah 58:6-7). But I encourage you to read the whole chapter. It's a rich passage. I end here. Thank you Jesus. Good morning Holy Spirit. Prayer: Father, teach us how to fast effectively. Help us not to do as we please when fasting. Help us not to exploit our workers. Help us us not to end our fasting in quarreling & strive. Let our fasting create a way for us to be humble, loving, faithful, obedient, forgiving & Word based. Thank you Jesus for hearing & answering my prayer. Put your angels to action. In Jesus mighty name we pray & believe, Amen. Grace be with you.